Famotidine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: H2 blocker

Generic and brand names: famotidine, oral; Pepcid; Pepcid AC; Pepcid Complete

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and benign gastric ulcers, and to reduce production of stomach acid. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

Some forms of this medicine are available without a healthcare provider's prescription. These products relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney or liver disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine regularly for as long as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better or do not have any pain.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine according to the directions on the package or as your healthcare provider recommends. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. If you take the nonprescription medicine, do not take it longer than 14 days without your healthcare provider's approval.

You may take this medicine with or without food. It works best when taken with meals. Your healthcare provider may want you to take antacids when you start taking this medicine to control pain until the medicine takes effect. If your healthcare provider prescribes an antacid, take it an hour before or after this medicine.

If you have the liquid form of this medicine, use a specially marked measuring spoon to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

If you have the liquid form, shake well before using. If you have the chewable tablet, chew the tablet completely. Do not swallow it whole. The chewable tablet also contains an antacid.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lightheadedness, fainting, fast heartbeat.

What should I watch out for?

Aspirin, other medicines, alcohol, coffee, and other substances can irritate your stomach and add to your problem. Follow your healthcare provider's advice about use of other medicines and alcohol and about which foods to avoid. Contact your healthcare provider if your pain continues.

If you need emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Confusion, depression, unusual bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, unusual nervousness, severe muscle or joint pain, yellow skin or eyes, trouble urinating.

Other: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, breast tenderness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids containing calcium or magnesium such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums (take them at least 1 hour before or after this medicine)
• antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antibiotics such as cefpodoxime (Vantin) , cefuroxime (Ceftin), and ceftibuten (Cedax)
• anticancer medicines such as dasatinib (Sprycel) and gefitinib (Iressa)
• iron supplements such as ferrous fumarate (Femiron), ferrous gluconate (Fergon), and ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Slow Fe)
• sucralfate (Carafate) (take at least 2 hours before or after this medicine)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

Discard any unused liquid medicine after 30 days.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.